Donovan's, Kingsbridge, Devon - NOT amateur radio

Kingsbridge is where I lived as a teenager.  Most of the shops are on a steep hill. One of these is Donovan's that sells mainly furniture. I think it dates back to the mid 1800s. Since I was young (a long time ago!), it has not changed much and I hope it doesn't. This photo was taken a few weeks ago when I was down there staying with my brother.

Bowringsleigh - NOT amateur radio

The weekend before last my brother in Devon had his church fete in the grounds of this fine house shown in the photo. It is called Bowringsleigh House. As you can see the weather was perfect.

Devon tomorrow - NOT amateur radio

All being well, I hope to travel to South Devon tomorrow by train to see my brother. My wife is staying here. I am coming back on Monday. 

This will mean fewer posts on this blog and means I cannot be on the radio.

Salcombe, Devon - NOT amateur radio

This photo shows where I lived as a young child. At the time we just took it for granted. Salcombe is in the distance on the left.

Much later, I realised just how lovely it was. These days it is a very expensive place to live with many second homes. House prices are ridiculously high, so much so that locals are priced out.

Near where I come from - NOT amateur radio

This is Blackpool Sands in Devon (not THAT Blackpool!!). It’s near where I come from in South Devon. 

It is a private beach with restricted access.

South Hams, where I grew up - NOT amateur radio

This is where I grew up and lived until I got a job in Cambridge. It is still very beautiful. 

This is Bolberry Down.

Where I come from - NOT amateur radio

My birthplace and where I lived as a child and teenager was in South Devon. We can trace our family back to the mid 1500s continuously in a village near this photo and we have a record of land being owned in the next parish in 1427!  It is pretty certain that some of my ancestors were hereabouts thousands of years ago. The photo is of Bolberry Down which is very close to where I lived.

Where I come from - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows where I come from in South Devon. As mentioned before we can trace our family history here continuously back to the mid 1500s. We were probably in this area 1000s of years ago.

Devon cliffs - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken in 2012 and shows me in Bolberry Down in Devon.

Where I lived as a teenager - NOT amateur radio

This very old engraving shows Kingsbridge, Devon as it was over 200 years ago. 

Although it has changed quite a bit, the main town is still very recognisable. I lived there from 1959-1970. It is at the head of the Kingsbridge Estuary, that is actually a ria or drowned river valley. 

It is still a very beautiful area today.

South West Coast Path - NOT amateur radio

Sadly I am too old these days to do this walk, or even short stretches of it. I have walked many parts of it in South Devon, and as you might expect, there are some great views. Some do the whole lot over several weeks

See https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/ .

Kingsbridge Estuary - NOT amateur radio

This photo of where I come from in Devon was on social media a little while ago. This not actually an estuary. It is actually a ria, a drowned river valley. One of my favourite walks was between Salcombe (bottom left) and Kingsbridge (top). It took me about 90 minutes then. It would take me hours now, if at all!

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ria .

Where I come from - NOT amateur radio

 

This is where I come from in South Devon. This unspoilt area is known as the South Hams.

Where I come from - NOT amateur radio

This photo was posted on the internet yesterday and shows where I come from in South Devon. Salcombe is left and this shows the Kingsbridge Estuary as the main focus. It is still a very beautiful part of England, and still very rural.

Crab prize - NOT amateur radio

Ten years ago I was staying in Devon with my brother. We attended the local history society where I won this huge dressed crab as a raffle prize. It was too large to take home, but my sister-in-law made some excellent crab sandwiches!

Where I come from - NOT amateur radio

This is where I come from in South Devon. It is still very beautiful. I try to get there every year. My brother still lives there.

South Devon - NOT amateur radio

This is Burgh Island from Thurlestone in South Devon, UK. I don't think this photo has been on the blog already. This is very near where I originally came from and still love. 

Nearly 100 years ago - NOT amateur radio

This photo is nearly 100 years old. My uncle is in the front row in the middle. I think he was the foreman. It shows the Salcombe Council gang (Devon) in the 1930s I think. Love the moustache front left!

UPDATE 1251z:  Someone thinks this could be shortly after WW2.  My uncle certainly looks young though!! He was born in 1908ish, so the 1930s seems more likely to me. Mind you, the late 1940s would make him early 40s, so if he was the foreman, this would make sense.

Where I come from - NOT amateur radio

 

This is Burgh Island in South Devon, not far from where I came from. In the distance is looking towards Cornwall in the west. The sun is setting.

South Devon

The photo shows where I come from in South Devon. 

Our family farmed some land here in the 1400s and my ancestors lived in the village in the distance in the mid-1500s (definitely), and quite possibly centuries before.